Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Complex Alphavirus in Bats, French Guiana

Although essential for control strategies, knowledge about transmission cycles is limited for Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex alphaviruses (VEEVs). After testing 1,398 bats from French Guiana for alphaviruses, we identified and isolated a new strain of the encephalitogenic VEEV species Tonate virus (TONV). Bats may contribute to TONV spread in Latin America.

Automated summary

The study revealed a new strain of the encephalitogenic VEEV species Tonate virus (TONV), isolated from bats in French Guiana, suggesting bats may play a role in the spread of TONV in Latin America. Despite the importance of understanding transmission cycles for control strategies, knowledge about Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex alphaviruses (VEEVs) remains limited.